New Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman has insisted that there is "no reason" why his side cannot mount a promotion challenge between now and the end of the season.

Under the management of Stuart Pearce, the Tricky Trees topped the Championship standings in September, but a run of three victories from 23 outings has seen the club slip to 12th and some 13 points adrift of the playoffs.

That form saw Forest part ways with Pearce on Sunday, but his replacement Freedman believes that there is enough quality at the City Ground to turn the situation around.

"We have a fantastic squad with good depth. At the start of the season this group of players were flying high at the top of the table, so there's no reason that we can't get back up there," he told reporters.

Freedman will take charge of Forest for the first time away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.